Malaysia plane was 'flying above legal height'

Eurocontrol, the international body that co-ordinates air traffic control across Europe, confirmed that the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was flying above the legal height and that the flight path taken by plane was open for legal use.

The director network manager at Eurocontrol Joe Sultana said: "Its intention was to travel at 35,000 feet, but it was descended to 30,000 feet by the Ukrainian service provider for air traffic control purposes, but I can confirm it was flying at flight level 33,000 feet".